On the Syntax of Fronted Adverbial Clauses in Two Tyrolean Dialects: The Distribution of Resumptive Semm

In this paper, we focus on the resumptive elements appearing in the so-called Clitic-Left-Dislocation Construction in two German varieties spoken in Northern Italy: Tyrolean (province of Bolzano, variety of Merano) and Mòcheno (province of Trento). We focus on the resumptive 'semm', which is used in both varieties to resume fronted adverbial clauses. We show that 'semm' is limited to central adverbial clauses, and that it corresponds syntactically to a phrase and not to a head. We also focus on the microvariation observable in the use of 'semm' between Meranese and Mòcheno.